Katie was presented with her award at a gala lunch on Saturday in The Westbury Hotel.

Irish Independent editor Stephen Rae presented Taylor with her award.

She said she was very proud to have received the accolade, adding that learning to cope with huge public interest had required some adjustment.

'It's a privilege,' she said. 'I complain about it, having to here and there, but it's such an honour to be invited to events like this at the end of the day.'

She admitted to some indulgence during her time off over Christmas. 'I ate all around meâ?¦ and it was brilliant,' she said. ' Now I'm just busy getting ready for the fight and it's great to get back into training properly again.'

Katie will face an opponent at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on February 24 in her first fight since the Olympics. She is also expected to defend her European title on home soil in October.